Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/114138
Fourth-Year Jarmere Jenkins Hopes To End His Career By Leading UVa To A National Title J By Greg Waters armere Jenkins often gets asked why he decided to go to college instead of becoming a professional tennis player. On the junior circuit, Jenkins reached the 2006 U.S. Open boys' doubles final, won the doubles title and reached the singles final at the 2008 Orange Bowl. Ranked in the top 20 in the ITF World Junior Rankings, he had the skills, showmanship and raw athleticism to be successful as a professional. Three and a half years ago, however, he chose college, and Jenkins has experienced one of the most distinguished careers a collegiate tennis player can have. He is convinced that his success as a student-athlete and his potential future are because he made the decision to come to Charlottesville first. "I wasn't ready," Jenkins admitted. "Deep down, I knew I did not have the maturity and the confidence, amongst other things, needed to compete with the professional players." Jenkins notes that the pro events he played before coming to college helped him recognize that the need to compete in multiple situations, regardless of your emotional or physical condition. College forced him to mature mentally and physically. "It was a struggle for me to try and balance schooling and tennis at the same time," Jenkins said. "As I matured, I started to work harder; I started meeting the coaches halfway because those guys put in a ton of work. They give 100 percent every day. So just growing as a person and handling the downs as well as being able to manage the high points was important for me." What ultimately made the difference to head to college first was not tennis, but his future after tennis. "When I put the racket down, a degree from the prestigious University of Virginia carries a lot of weight." But it wasn't just the impressive accomplishment of graduating from UVa that has made the experience in Charlottesville memorable for Jenkins, it's been the overall experience. "I've had an unbelievable time and I've grown a lot as a person and as a player," the fourth-year said. "I've been fortunate to have this experience and share it with so many people." Many of those people are his teammates, and for the last two seasons Jenkins has served as one of their captains. "It's a tough role to play because no one's perfect," Jenkins said about serving as a team captain. "That's the good thing about being in the spotlight, because it shines on your flaws, as well. "It has changed me as a person because it's difficult to go out and give 100 percent every day. So I go out, give what I have and hopefully that's enough for the guys that are watching, and hopefully the first-years can take away from it because they'll be leading the team next year." The growth in maturity is clearly evident to men's tennis coach Brian Boland, who said Jenkins is like the quarterback that wants the ball for the final play or the point guard who wants to be shooting free throws with the game on the line. "Jarmere has been one of the most enjoyable players for me to watch compete in practice and in matches," Boland said. "His athletic ability and willingness to embrace the most pressure-filled matches has been something that I have always admired. The bigger the moment, the better Jarmere plays, which is a characteristic that all the best players in the history of our sport possess. Jarmere has won three ACC team titles, three National In-